The Huguenots were French Protestants (members of the Reformed Church). The Catholics began to persecute them as their numbers grew until around 1560 when a civil war broke out between the two religions. During the war steps were taken to grant the Huguenots some tolerance but the Catholics and the government continued their persecution leading at one point to the massacre of thousands of Huguenot’s in 1572 – (St Batholomew’s Day). The civil war lasted until 1598 when the Edict of Nantes gave almost complete religious freedom, however, this was short lived and in 1628 the capture of the Huguenot’s stronghold of La Rochelle was followed by ruthless persecution until the Huguenot’s fled to the neighbouring countries such England, Netherlands, Germany and also further a field to America. It is thought at up to 400,000 Huguenots fled France at this time. The Huguenot’s were craftspeople, artisans and professionals who took with them many skills and talents. |
